New Dymocks book store

 

Well, it is not actually new, but Dymocks  in the city mall has a new , swish venue. It was heartwarming to hear that people in Adelaide had got there really early in the morning to visit the new premises . It was wonderful to hear the queue had been very long and Adelaide people were still so much in love with books. It was reassuring to know that Dymocks has just endured and grown stronger in the Mall , no matter what. We had a Borders store in the Mall  close by to Dymocks which opened with much fanfare, enticed and entranced everyone and then it closed down. I loved Borders. It was a whole new book experience but always ended up at Dymocks afterwards on the same day to get the other sorts of books I wanted. Both stores had a wide range of books and were well stocked. Dymocks endured because it is solid. It has a loyal community. It is a great shop to buy calendars for the new year. It has book type gifts which make great presents. It offers a sound selection of foreign language books. It really does bargains when it is has a markdown table and I have found some fabulous books on those tables. I have also found great cookery books and then good books for children and for my own reading. Dymocks offers what readers want and if you are a lover of sitting with a real book and just enjoying it, then Dymocks does not let you down. It is the range and then the efficient, professional service. I am looking forward to seeing Dymocks in its new home. 

It is sad the Regent Theatre is no longer open but I feel Dymocks is a worthy successor to the venue. The Regent will hold memories for many people in Adelaide but sadly cinemas seem to be losing their place in the lifestyle we live now and coronavirus has damaged things which were important to us.  This particular changeover is a good one. We could not stop the Regent from losing trade, but we can bring people back to the venue so they can enjoy the beauty of it and celebrate our love of books. So many Adelaide people are big readers. The pandemic has disrupted some readers, I know. They just can't sit and read a book anymore. My way is to sit and read a chapter, maybe two , a night. It is how I have held on to my reading. A book brings you a perspective nothing else can. I did not want to lose my connection to reading. Hopefully this new Dymocks will rekindle that love of reading we have always valued. My approach means I read at least a dozen books a year. I am happy with that. 

There is a lovely review of the new store on Play&Go.

You can find the Adelaide store on Facebook and read how heartwarmed they were they got so much support when they reopened. 

Lost and Found in India

Braja Sorensen was born on Bombay Street near the Warradale Army Barracks and  she now lives in West Bengal. She is a well respected author , poet, editor and then there are all the other things Braja Sorensen is. A woman of talent and creativity who loves India because it has brought out all the aspects of her personality, character and creativity. Lost and Found in India is from her blog and so there is a certain stream of consciousness about it which I really like. It is fresh, well written, makes interesting observations and then allows you , as someone who does not really understand the culture, some real understanding as to how India puts together its vast culture wealth on a daily basis. Her writing style is animated and well thought out. She draws you in because the tone is conversational but as she reflects on different aspects of our culture and the Indian way of life then you feel like you belong in that conversation with her. It contextualises her in that culture and looks at how the Indian culture has impacted on her and she on it. It's a book which does a lot for intercultural understanding but also a book which is just a very good read.

The Book Thief

 *** no spoilers ***

The Book Thief is enjoying a well deserved wave of success both as a novel and film with Geoffrey Rush. Markus Zusak is a Sydney author and is undeniably one of our best. I was given the book as a birthday present in March and must be the only person in Adelaide who hadn't heard of it, hadn't read it and hadn't watched or wasn't planning to watch the film. It has gone around like wild fire. Adelaide loves a good book and will share easily which is how I came to receive it as a present. Adelaide people will not let you miss a good book. It is beautifully written the more so because it uses such simple language reminiscent of the style of Anatole France to tell a tale which draws you in bit by bit and then pushes home some unforgettable messages at the end. It is masterful in the way it has been constructed and deals with at era of Nazi occupation well. I have read a number of writings from that era in German and the one thing which Zusak has achieved is the German capacity to tell the truth but demonstrate the inspiration and irrepressible nature of good human beings. The Germans are a culture which can contrast light and dark well and Zusak has managed this in English so it is quite an achievement. Unlike others I could stop reading it. I read it in bits and could lose myself in it but I wanted it to last, I suppose, and I knew it would make me sad, but sad in a good way. It reminds you to stand up for what you believe in. This book will endure, I am sure, because the message is timeless and the style is not locked into a time frame or era. I recommend it to you, if like me, it somehow missed you.